Chronological Table of the Apostle Paul's Life: About A.D. 36-67

From: Christian Truth: Volume 2

By: Andrew Miller

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Chronological Table of Paul's Life

From: Paul's Third Journey: Chapter 6

• 3 min. read • grade level: 9

About A. D.

 36 Conversion of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9).

 36-39

At Damascus—preaches in the synagogue—goes into

Arabia—returns to Damascus—flight from Damascus.

His first visit to Jerusalem, three years after his conversion.

Thence to Tarsus. (Acts 9:23-26; Gal. 1:18.)

 39, 40 Rest of the Jewish churches (Acts 9:31).

 40-43

Paul preaches the gospel in Syria and Cilicia (Gal. 1:21).

A period of uncertain length. During this time he probably

undergoes the chief part of the perils and sufferings

which he recounts to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 11).

He is brought from Tarsus to Antioch by Barnabas, and

stays there a year before the famine (Acts 11:26).

 44 Paul's second visit to Jerusalem, with the collection (Acts 1:11:30).

 45 Paul returns to Antioch (Acts 12:2-5²And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. ³And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) ⁴And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. ⁵Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:2‑5)).

 46-49

Paul's first missionary journey with Barnabas—goes to Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and back through the same places to Antioch.

They remain a long time in Antioch.

Dissension and disputation about circumcision. (Acts 13;14; 15:1, 2.)

 50

Paul's third visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas, fourteen years after his conversion (Gal. 2:1¹Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. (Galatians 2:1)).

They attend the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15).

Return of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, with Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32-35³²And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. ³³And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. ³⁴Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. ³⁵Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. (Acts 15:32‑35)).

 51

Paul's second missionary journey, with Silas and Timothy.

He goes from Antioch to Syria, Cilicia, Derbe, Lystra, Phrygia, Galatia, Troas. Luke joins the apostolic band (Acts 16:10¹⁰And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. (Acts 16:10)).

 52

Entrance of the gospel into Europe (Acts 16:11-13¹¹Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; ¹²And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. ¹³And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. (Acts 16:11‑13)).

Paul visits Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth.

Spends a year and six months at Corinth (Acts 18:11¹¹And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:11)).

First Epistle to the Thessalonians written.

 53

Second Epistle to the Thessalonians written.

Paul leaves Corinth and sails to Ephesus (Acts 18:18, 19¹⁸And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. ¹⁹And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. (Acts 18:18‑19)).

 54

Paul's fourth visit to Jerusalem, at the feast.

Returns to Antioch.

 54-56

Paul's third missionary journey.

He departs from Antioch—visits Galatia, Phrygia, and reaches Ephesus, where he stays two years and three months. Here Paul separates the disciples from the Jewish synagogue (Acts 19:8, 10⁸And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 19:8)
¹⁰And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:10)).

Epistle to the Galatians written.

 57

Spring. First Epistle to the Corinthians written. The tumult at Ephesus—Paul leaves for Macedonia (Acts 19:23; 20:1²³And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. (Acts 19:23)
¹And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. (Acts 20:1)).

Autumn. Second Epistle to the Corinthians written (2 Cor. 1:8, 2:13, 14; 7:5; 8:1; 9:1⁵For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. (2 Corinthians 7:5)
¹Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; (2 Corinthians 8:1)
¹For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: (2 Corinthians 9:1)).

Paul visits Illyricum—goes to Corinth—winters there (Rom. 15:19¹⁹Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:19); 1 Cor. 16:6⁶And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. (1 Corinthians 16:6)).

 58

Spring. The Epistle to the Romans written (Rom. 15:25-282;8 1; 6:21-23²¹What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. ²²But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. ²³For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:21‑23); Acts 20:4⁴And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. (Acts 20:4)).

Paul leaves Corinth—passes through Macedonia—sails from Philippi-preaches at Troas-addresses the elders at Miletus-visits Tire and Caesarea (Acts 20; 21:1.14).

 58-60

Paul's fifth visit to Jerusalem, before Pentecost. He is arrested in the temple—brought before Ananias and the Sanhedrim—sent by Lysias to Caesarea, where he is kept in bonds two years.

 60

Paul heard by Felix and Festus. He appeals unto Caesar -preaches before Agrippa, Bernice, and the men of Caesarea.

Autumn. Paul sails for Italy.

Winter. Shipwrecked at Malta (Acts 27).

 61

Spring. Arrives at Rome—dwells two years in his own hired house (Acts 28).

 62

Spring. Epistles to Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians written.

Autumn. Epistle to the Philippians written.

 63

Spring. Paul acquitted and released.

Epistle to the Hebrews written.

Paul takes another journey, intending to visit Asia Minor and Greece (Philem. 1:22²²But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. (Philemon 22); Phil. 2:24²⁴But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. (Philippians 2:24)).

 64

Visits Crete and leaves Titus there—exhorts Timothy to abide at Ephesus.

First Epistle to Timothy written.

Epistle to Titus written.

 64-67

Intends to winter at Nicopolis (Titus 3:12).

Visits Troas, Corinth, Miletum (2 Tim. 4:13, 20¹³The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. (2 Timothy 4:13)
²⁰Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. (2 Timothy 4:20)).

Paul arrested and sent to Rome.

Deserted and solitary—having only Luke, of his old associates, with him.

Second Epistle to Timothy written, probably not long before his death. These journeys and events are generally supposed to cover a period of about three years.

 67 Paul's martyrdom.

Arranged by Andrew Miller

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